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VeronaTourist and holiday information
Verona, in the Veneto region of north-east Italy, is one of Italy's loveliest towns, famous for its summer opera season. This has been a thriving and successful town for most of its history, and today smart shops and cafes fill the attractive medieval lanes of the historic centre. Verona is a popular day-trip destination from Lake Garda, and an appealing destination for weekend breaks or longer stays. There's a lot to see here, from Roman ruins to the so-called 'Juliet's balcony', and the town is also well-connected for exploring the surrounding area, including destinations like Lake Garda, Vicenza, Padua and Venice. Verona was an important Roman town and is rich in archaeological sites. The Roman Arena, where concerts and operas are now performed in the summer, is the city's grandest sight, but you can spend a long time simply exploring the narrow streets lined with palazzi that make up the historic centre. There's also a mini-train tour if you're feeling lazy. The town's museums and churches contain fine works of art, while the ruined Teatro Romano over the river has excellent views from the terraces where the ancients watched plays. If you're planning a longer stay, or want to see more of Italy, Verona is usefully located for travel to Venice or for the lovely Lake Garda. There is a lot to see in this part of Italy, and it is easy to travel around by public transport. Combining Verona with another local destination (perhaps the lake) would make a great and varied two-centre holiday. Things to seeVerona's historic centre (centro storico) lies within the town walls in a tight curve of the Adige river. Entering town through the Porta Nuova gateway near the railway station, you head along the wide car-filled Corso Porta Nuova towards the famous Piazza Bra, a large open space dominated by the Arena. This was Roman Verona's principal entertainment venue, with seating for 20,000. The high arched structure is well-preserved and is open to the public. In the summer months there is a high-profile opera season which attracts cultural tourists from all around the world. There are also occasional concerts and other public events. The town's archaeological museum is located at the Roman theatre, the Teatro Romano, situated in a panoramic spot over the river Adige from the town centre. There are some fascinating exhibits in the rambling museum, including a fine bronze head discovered in the gravel bed of the river. 
Do some research before sight-seeing as there are various ways to save money on entrance fees. The first Sunday of the month, various museums and sights are open free. Five of the city's most important churches can be visited on a combined ticket, with a reduction for senior citizens. There is also a combined ticket called the Verona Card, valid for either one or three days which includes admission to most of the important sights. Information and basic city centre maps are available at the tourist information offices; one at the railway station and another along the city wall by the Arena at Piazza Bra. The Romeo and Juliet trailShakespeare is extremely unlikely ever to have set foot in Verona. However, his source for the plot of Romeo and Juliet was derived at several removes from an Italian story set in the town, featuring two feuding families with names similar to those of historical Veronese dynasties. So there is a connection but whether you feel that the real town of Verona has any direct link to Shakespeare's work is up to you. It doesn't stop the town from marketing Romeo and Juliet postcards, mugs, tea-towels, sliding pens and more. There is a busy Shakespearian tourist trail, and (mind-bogglingly) you can post a letter to Juliet at 'Juliet's tomb', or email her at 'Juliet's balcony'. Eating and drinkingThe two main hubs for sitting down with a drink or a light meal are Piazza Bra and Piazza Erbe. Of the two, Piazza Erbe has a much nicer atmosphere and you'll find lots of locals at the nice but somewhat pricey bars lining the square. Piazza Bra is more of a thoroughfare where you'll pay a lot for a rather touristy experience. However, if you're in a hurry or on a budget you'll find two useful eating places here - speedy self-service restaurant Brek and the Italian fast food chain Spizzico. For cheaper or more atmospheric meals, try wandering through the small lanes of the centro storico. Small restaurants and bars are scattered secretively through the centre - try spotting them at lunchtime when busy crowds of locals will indicate the best food. We enjoyed the hearty Tirolean food at Ristorante Tabià (Via Zambelli 14; closed Mondays), a surprisingly large and maze-like restaurant with a cheery atmosphere, good prices and incredibly fattening dishes. Another spot for a cheap and filling meal is the Ristorante-Pizzeria San Matteo Church (Vicolo del Guasto, close to Porta Borsari), which as its name indicates is actually located in a former church. There are memorial tablets on the wall, a crypt displayed through glass floor panels, and dinner tables where the high altar would have stood. The pizza list is very long and varied,and we appreciated the little glasses of limoncello at the end of our meal. We also ate in Piazza Erbe, at one of a row of bars which also serve light meals at their tables on the square; more expensive and less filling but with a lovely lunchtime atmosphere. Travel to VeronaVerona Airport is called Aeroporto Valerio Catullo (named after the local Roman writer Catullus), and is located at Villafranca, 12km to the southwest of Verona. A shuttle bus runs to Verona Porta Nuova railway station every 20 minutes from 6:35am to 11:35pm; a one-way ticket costs €4.50. 
Ryanair budget flights use Brescia Airport, also known as Montichiari or Gabriele D'Annunzio Airport. The airport is located 20km from Brescia (and 52km from Verona). A bus service connects Brescia Airport with Verona Porta Nuova railway station, connecting with Ryanair flights. A return ticket costs €16. Verona's bus and main railway station (Verona Porta Nuova) are next to each other, a 15-minute walk (or a short bus ride) to the Arena and the historic centre. The first part of the route isn't particularly clear - head to the right from the railway station - so pick up a map at the station's tourist information office or ask directions. If you are travelling to Lake Garda from Verona (Porta Nuova Station), trains to Desenzano del Garda run every half hour and take 20 minutes. Alternatively a direct bus runs from Verona to Garda, Riva, Malcesine and other resorts. See the Lake Garda page for more information. Verona Hotels> Full Verona accommodation search
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